Chapter 1. Introduction; Overview - ashtech Z-Surveyor Operation And Reference Manual

Introduction
Both the Z-Surveyor and the Z-FX represent a powerful and economic alternative to
conventional surveying equipment for the GPS community. Designed to support an
expanding variety of surveying applications, including land/boundary/cadastral surveys,
route surveys, construction and as built surveys, the 12 channel, dual frequency receiver
integrates technological advances in microprocessor design, data storage, and power
management. Retaining the functionality of a complete surveying system, the Z-Surveyor
now fits into a smaller, lighter, and more ergonomic enclosure. Incorporating Ashtech's
patented Z-Tracking™ technology to mitigate the effects of Anti-Spoofing (AS), both the
Z-Surveyor and the Z-FX provide increased tracking ability under adverse satellite
visibility conditions such as under tree canopy, in canyons, or between buildings. While
both receivers operate on just 7.5 watts, the Z-Surveyor includes an internal battery
capable of approximately 4.5 hours of continuous operation. For longer operations, the Z-
Surveyor offers an external power input. Each receiver also includes internal memory in
the form of a removable (Z-Surveyor only), standard 2Mb PCMCIA card expandable up
to 85Mb. Due to performance and popularity, many third party applications software
companies have developed their application-specific packages to work directly with the
receiver. Our receiver works with a wide choice of controller software and data collectors
as well as coming with a full range of accessories to make surveying simple and efficient.
We have built the system to support collection and post-processing of static, rapid static,
and kinematic data without the need for an external handheld display/controller due to an
integrated, optimized keyboard/display. The unit functions as a base station and/or rover
for real-time code and code/carrier RTCM differential GPS usage. To support the
requirement for real-time centimeter-level surveying solutions, an optional spread
spectrum radio is incorporated into the receiver, providing a configured portable and
integrated real-time GPS surveying system. The receiver can be configured as a
continuous operating reference station (CORS) for surveying, GIS, geological, or other
scientific monitoring applications.

Overview

The Z-Surveyor and the Z-FX, Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2 respectively, process signals
from the GPS satellite constellation. Each receiver provides real-time position, velocity,
and time measurements using twelve dedicated separate and parallel channels for Coarse/
Acquisition (C/A) code-phase, and carrier-phase measurement on the L1 (1575 MHz), and
Precise (P) code phase and carrier phase measurement on L1 and L2 (1227 MHz) bands.
Each receives satellite signals via an L-band antenna and low-noise amplifier (LNA). The
Introduction
1
1